A Pennsylvania judge on Monday refused the Philadelphia district attorney’s request to block daily $1 million giveaways from Elon Musk’s pro-Trump super PAC in the lead-up to the election.
Judge Angelo Foglietta refused to block the giveaways in a one-page order with no explanation. He said he would detail his reasoning in writing separately.
The decision comes just one day before Election Day, the final day that America PAC plans to hand out a $1 million check to a registered swing state voter.
Musk’s lawyer Chris Gober argued at Monday’s hearing that the super PAC does not choose winners at random but rather for their potential as spokespeople, seeking to contradict Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s (D) accusation that it is running an “illegal lottery.”
“The $1 million recipients are not chosen by chance. We know exactly who will be announced as the $1 million recipient today and tomorrow,” Gober said, according to The Associated Press.
He also noted that America PAC’s final giveaways will go to registered voters in Arizona and Michigan and will not impact Pennsylvania.
The super PAC launched the giveaway in late October. Registered voters in seven swing states, including Pennsylvania, who signed the PAC’s petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms were eligible.
America PAC has handed out 16 checks worth $1 million each so far, with four going to registered voters in Pennsylvania.
Krasner sued Musk and his super PAC last week, accusing them of running an “illegal lottery” under Pennsylvania state law and asking the court to put the giveaways on hold ahead of the election.
The Philadelphia district attorney said Monday he would also seek financial penalties against Musk and America PAC, according to Reuters.
Musk’s lawyers attempted to move the case to federal court.
However, U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert rejected the request Friday, sending the case back to state court and allowing a hearing to proceed before Election Day.
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This isn’t about Trump or Harris; it’s about preserving fair elections. Musk’s PAC giving out millions before Election Day looks like a stunt to me. Polls can’t capture how tired people are of billionaires trying to pull strings. I’d rather see candidates debate real issues, not bank accounts.
Kamala faces an uphill battle because, as a woman of color, she’s held to a different standard. Meanwhile, Musk’s money can easily sway voters in key states, and it just shows how deep the bias runs. The fact that people defend this makes the gender gap even clearer
Elon’s just helping patriotic voices be heard. Kamala Harris has plenty of wealthy backers herself, and if she’s losing support, it’s not because of Musk. Trump’s confidence in battleground states is rock solid because people know he’s going to protect their freedoms.
Musk isn’t doing anything illegal; he’s supporting people who value free speech and the right to bear arms! Kamala’s team needs to stop whining about it. Trump is confident in these battleground states because people want strong leadership, not handouts!
Musk is just giving back to the people who believe in this country! Kamala’s team is just mad they didn’t think of this first. Trump’s got battleground states in his pocket because he speaks for real Americans. This isn’t a bribe; it’s a boost for those who support the Constitution!
I’m all for supporting voters, but daily $1 million giveaways? Come on, it’s borderline bribery. The gender gap is real, and it’s not helping Kamala when these PACs are handing out cash left and right. Both candidates need to win fairly, or we’re just undermining democracy.
This is exactly why Harris struggles in the polls — she’s up against deep-pocketed elites trying to buy the election. Women and minority voters get hit the hardest, while Trump’s supporters get a ‘golden ticket.’ This gender gap is real, and it’s not going away with billionaires playing these games.
These giveaways highlight the money problem in politics. Working people like me see this and wonder, who’s actually fighting for us? Harris has real support issues in battleground states, but at least she’s not throwing cash at the problem. We deserve leaders who aren’t just buying our votes.
It’s infuriating to watch this happen. Giving $1 million to swing state voters, days before the election, is manipulation, plain and simple. Kamala Harris has every right to call this out — no one should be above the law, and this tactic could easily discourage real voter engagement.
@MacawChloeForward1yr1Y
This feels shady on both sides. PACs, billionaires, giveaways — none of this feels like a democracy. Polls show Harris struggling, but who’s really winning when we’re voting based on giveaways? Musk, Trump, and all these rich donors don’t represent us; they represent themselves.
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